United States Eventing Association

• Elimination After One Fall on Cross-country.

-As of May 19, 2008, the first fall of competitor on cross-country will result in elimination.

• Qualifying Results

-Except as noted below, National Qualifying Result (NQR): an NQR is achieved by completing the entire horse trials and scoring:

-Not more than 50 penalty points in the dressage test; and

-No jumping penalties at obstacles on the cross-country test, and not more than 90 seconds (36 penalty points) exceeding optimum time; and

-Not more than 16 penalties at obstacles in the Jumping Test.

-25 penalty points received for Dangerous Riding will not achieve a National Qualifying Result.

• Requirements for Competition at National Horse Trials and Events

-PRELIMINARY (1.10m) – The competitor must have obtained an NQR at four horse trials at the Training level or higher.

-INTERMEDIATE (1.15m) – Both the competitor and the horse, though not necessarily as a combination must have obtained an NQR at three horse trials at the Preliminary level or higher, plus an additional NQR with no more than 20 jumping penalties at obstacles on the cross-country test.

-ADVANCED (1.20m) – Both the competitor and the horse, though not necessarily as a combination, must have obtained an NQR at three Horse Trials at the Intermediate Level or higher, plus an additional NQR with no more than 20 jumping penalties at obstacles on the cross-country test.

• Requirements for Competition in International Horse Trials and Events

-In all instances, at least one of the QRs must have been obtained in the current or preceding calendar year. All competitors and horses must meet the minimum requirements published by the FEI.

-CIC* Both the competitor and the horse, though not necessarily as a combination, must have achieved 3 NQRs at either national preliminary horse trials (CNC*) or national one-star three-day events. (CCN*)

-CCI* Both the competitor and the horse, though not necessarily as a combination, must have achieved 4 QRs at any combination of: CNC*, CCN*, CIC*.

-CIC** The horse and rider, though not necessarily as a combination must have achieved 2 QRs at a CNC** or higher.

-CCI** Having met the minimum requirements of the FEI, the horse and rider, though not necessarily as a combination must have achieved 3 QRs at a CNC** or higher.

-CIC*** Having met the minimum requirements of the FEI, the horse and rider, though not necessarily as a combination must have achieved 2 QRs at a CNC*** or higher.

-CCI*** The horse and rider must meet the minimum requirements of the FEI.

-CCI**** The horse and rider must meet the minimum requirements of the FEI.

• Loss of Establishment of Qualification

-A horse that is eliminated twice, for non-technical reasons, within any six-month period loses its qualification to compete at the level at which the eliminations occur.

-A horse that falls in competition two times in any six-month period loses its qualification to compete at the level at which the falls occur.

- A rider who falls in competition from the same horse during competition two times in any 12-month period will cause the horse to lose its qualification for the level at which the falls occur.

- Having lost qualification, a horse may be re-qualified by achieving 2 QRs at the next lower level within a six-month period following the loss of qualification.

• Dangerous Riding Penalty/Procedures

-The Ground Jury and the Technical Delegate have the authority to stop a rider on the cross-country course for dangerous riding, riding an exhausted horse, excessive pressing of a tired horse, riding an obviously lame horse, excessive use of the whip and/or spurs or riding in an unsafe way.

-The President of the Ground Jury may, in addition, designate one or several deputies (i.e. Eventing Officials up to the level for which they are licensed and not in an official function at the event, any Level III or Level IV USEA ICP Instructor or any rider who has represented the USA in a World Championship, Olympic Games, or Pan American Games) for the cross-country to advise the Ground Jury regarding any action described in 1 or 4 (above). Deputies and obstacle judges will be provided with a red flag to be waved at the rider, at the direction of the Ground Jury, to stop the rider if the situation continues or if the infringement of the above is deemed to be serious.

• Frangible Technology

-Obstacles constructed after December 1, 2008, for which approved frangible technology is appropriate, shall be constructed using this technology. Obstacles constructed prior to December 1, 2008, and for which the use of Approved Frangible Technology is appropriate, shall be retrofit using this technology prior to December 1, 2009. All open oxers at the preliminary (1.10 meters) level and above must be constructed using Approved Frangible Technology. Information on the appropriate applications of Frangible Technology in cross-country fence construction is available in the USEA Cross-country Obstacle Design Guidelines. Frangible Technology may be installed only by or under the supervision of course designers/course builders who have attended a USEA Seminar on frangible fence construction.

• Fall Forms

-The use of Fall Forms to record all falls occurring at obstacles during the cross-country phase has been implemented. Efforts are being made to ensure proper completion of the forms by officials in order to compile the information for submission to the FEI.

• Safety Studies and Research

-Pulmonary hemorrhage – Dr. Kent Allen and Dr. Catherine Kohn have formed a team to examine and investigate pulmonary events as causes of equine fatalities. The USEA is providing funding for necropsies for all equine fatalities that occur during an eventing competition.

•Speed Study

- A speed and motion study will be done in order to determine the range of speeds that horses must travel in order to achieve the optimum time at all levels. In addition, this study will track the maximum speed traveled at all levels. This study will relate to both the stress placed on the horse and the overall safety of horse and rider.

• FEI Eventing Rule Revisions

-The USEF Eventing Technical Committee has forwarded its comments on the proposed 2009 Revisions to the FEI Eventing Rules to the FEI Eventing Committee, including suggested changes to the FEI Qualifying Criteria.

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As a response to an uncharacteristically tragic Eventing season the USEF and USEA held the first ever Eventing Safety Summit in Lexington, Kentucky, on June 7 and 8, 2008.

The summit was open to the public and welcomed fans, parents, coaches, trainers, veterinarians, course designers, equestrian product manufacturers and riders from all levels. Collectively the group worked to prevent future accidents and identify next steps to improve the safety of the sport for both horse and rider.

Saturday morning kicked off with a packed room of more than 250. Opening remarks came from USEA President Kevin Baumgardner, USEF President David O'Connor and USEF CEO John Long—all three wore a myriad of hats throughout the weekend's discussions. "Our sport is in trouble," said Long. "By showing up here we're collectively acknowledging that things need to change."

O'Connor tasked the group with one tagline for the weekend's discussions—does this have the possibility of reducing horse falls. "We can improve safety by doing one thing, reducing horse falls, whether rotational or not," O'Connor said. "There is an assumed risk in our sport. We can't stop people falling off all the time." He also emphasized the fact that we need to understand why we are getting our horses in the position where they can't deal with what's in front of them.

With an agreed-upon goal of coming up with five to seven potential solutions that were both feasible and effective the safety summit got underway. "There is strength in numbers," said Baumgardner. "That is how we're going to solve this problem. There are nearly 14,000 USEA members, and we all need to become evangelists for safety."

The summit was broken into four topics: course design, veterinary/medical, qualifications and education. The course design topic included course builder Eric T. Bull and course designer Tremaine Cooper as discussion framers. Sub-topics included using more frangible jumps, reducing technicality of courses at the lower, "educational" levels, enforcing slower speeds, changing the number of jumps per distance and issues in jump decoration.

Frangible Pins

Frangible pins work with a very specific type of construction which means they have a limited application. For example they cannot be used with a log that weighs more than 600 pounds. "They lessen the problem if you are already in trouble," said Cooper. "What they are not going to do is make a jump ride better." The pin breaks and takes away the rotational point as the horse is already falling. According to the U.S. Eventing Team Chef d' Equipe, Captain Mark Phillips, this technology works best for jumps at the preliminary level and above. According to Cooper the jumps are easy to rebuild once the pin has been activated, and it takes just half an hour to retrofit an existing fence (that is appropriate for frangible pins).

O'Connor introduced a prototype of breakaway fence that was built at the Colorado Horse Park, a ditch and wall with brush that he would like to see tested further as well as a conceptual diagram of a bolt and snap system to deal with bigger timber than the frangible pin can handle.

The obvious concern from the audience was that riders would ride harder and faster at a fence that they knew would break away just as some currently do with deformable fences like brush jumps. By the close of the session USEA and USEF committed to supporting further research into different types of frangible/deformable technology, and also to fully subsidize the cost of pins for all members who request them going forward. (If the frangible pin is activated as the horse and rider falls, then the combination is eliminated.)

Speed

The audience had much to say when it came to speed. Some discussed the idea of taking away watches from competitors at the lower levels. The argument was that this would teach them through feel. "The watch isn't the issue," said four-star rider Dorothy Crowell. "We need to teach people how to ride at speed and how to transition at speed. If they need to make up for speed it should be used riding away from a fence not going into a fence." The audience spoke about misapplication of speed; riders need to know what is appropriate to do at any given fence at their level. Speed, or the lack thereof, was a hot topic that won't be solved immediately, but one of the suggestions was attaching time penalties at all levels for people who come in well under the time. "Anyone who comes in 20 seconds under optimum time at Rolex Kentucky is going too fast," said Jane Atkinson, EEI Executive Vice President.

International eventer, organizer, and engineer John Staples presented fascinating video and data gleaned from GPS research he has done into real-time speeds on different types and levels of courses. It was agreed that a continuation (and broader funding) of this research would help improve our understanding of speed and where and how it becomes a factor on course.

One solution that was presented was for ground juries to adjust speed based on types of courses, weather and other factors. Another suggestion was that if no one makes the optimum time at an event using the fastest time of the division, to re-set the optimum time would reward riders for safe riding.

The issue of number of jumps per distance surrounds the FEI ratio of one jump per hundred meters for horse trials and CICs. The fences get more spaced out at CCIs. Although this was a good question to raise, the audience did not feel this was a hot topic for the safety summit to tackle.

Jump decoration was discussed briefly with the point being made that decorations aren't necessarily there to make a jump prettier but often to make a fence more inviting and make it jump better. It was agreed upon that if riders have a problem with jump decorations they need to make that point known to the rider representative who will discuss the issue with the technical delegate. "Jump decorations cannot take away from the horse seeing the jump and understanding it," said O'Connor. Bull wrapped up discussion of the jump decoration adding that the sport is lacking some of the hard data he needs to be able to build and fix fences going forward.

Technicality of Courses

As one would expect the technicality of courses was a hot topic. Crowell started by saying she had a unique view because she is back competing at the CCI**** level after 10 years off. "What's really different are all the courses that lead up to this point," Crowell said. "Beginner novice and up are dramatically different. It doesn't encourage a horse and rider to go out and have a good time." Unfortunately many felt the courses today are becoming too technical too quickly and riders are rushing through the levels. "We want to make sure we're designing courses at the training level that horses can cope with," said Sally O'Connor, FEI Steward. There was broad agreement that horses and riders need lower level courses to be educational, not "mini-Rolexes." The suggestion was made that the USEA course advisors program be expanded to include training level and perhaps other lower level courses, to ensure that this goal is reached.

It was a common sentiment that horses need to spend some time learning their job and learning all the pieces of the puzzle before we ask them to put that together on course. Many felt that there should be no shame in some courses being "move-up" courses. "A lower level course should be like a nice canter in the country," said Phillips. Crowell offered that she likes to see riders coming in with a smile on their faces at these levels and that speed, balance, and turning should not be asked for all at once but used as building blocks. There was consensus that the omnibus descriptions of courses should be as helpful as possible as to what is an appropriate move up course, versus an average course at the level, versus a hard course at the level that would be preparatory to moving up to the next level.

Solutions brought up included having the rider representative walk the course when the ground jury walks it, course advisors visiting and advising more at the lower levels and working to close the gap between training and preliminary levels.

Veterinary Topics

The veterinary/medical topic welcomed discussion framers Kent Allen, DVM; Tracey S. Corey, MD; Catherine Kohn, VMD, ACVIM; and NATA-certified athletic trainer Mike Pilato. Sub-topics included safety equipment, fitness, the long versus the short format, maximum age of horses competing and return to play after an injury on course. "All horse sports require core strength and particularly eventing. Rider fitness is essential," said Olympian Karen O'Connor.

Qualifications and Education

The discussion of qualifications kicked off Saturday afternoon with Olympic rider Robert Costello, Olympic gold medalist Leslie Law, and John Staples acting as discussion framers. The sub-topics addressed included whether or not to have qualifications at every level, ages of riders, inconsistency with the FEI qualifications, loss of qualifications as a result of a fall, competency and professional versus amateur.

The topic of qualifications quickly became intertwined with education. Many in the audience felt it was most important that we chase education and not qualifications regardless of the level. "I don't want achieving objective qualifications to promote blissful ignorance," said eventer Sarah MacHarg. "We need qualifications to reflect horsemanship. Once that is in place, we will be chasing education instead of scores." Kentucky's first lady Jane Beshear supported that sentiment saying, "If all young people were as responsible as this young lady over here (Sarah), it would be wonderful for the sport."

The group discussed the pressures felt by today's competitors from parents, coaches, owners and trainers. "There are all sorts of factors going on here that don't make this a straight line graph, and we have to be honest about that," said Phillips.

Some possible suggestions going forward included putting a system in place that backed the trainers when they make the decision that a horse and rider are not ready to move up. The group also discussed a rider licensing program and a rating system where riders like Law can move a horse up the levels more quickly than someone who has never done that before.

"If you're good enough; you're old enough." That was Phillips response to the question of ages of riders. He mentioned that many young riders he has seen in this country have been riding safely at the higher levels. Olympic and double World Champion Bruce Davidson spoke up saying that age was irrelevant "if you're educated, experienced and properly mounted" commenting further that self-confidence in ourselves and our horses is what gets us around. Some in the audience felt that many young people these days need to put in more time to gain more experience, and that's what is necessary to participate in the sport.

Instructor Certification and Licensing

Instructor certification and licensing was discussed. "Coaches ought to be licensed in this country, and that will go a long way to improving safety in the sport," said Phillips.

The discussion of competency and loss of qualifications as a result of a fall went hand in hand this weekend. One really couldn't be discussed without the other. "There are lots of layers to this," said Olympic rider Darren Chiacchia. "Don't think there's one answer; there are many answers. Sometimes in life there are things called accidents."

Watch List

The group discussed instituting a system where if a specific combination of horse and rider have a certain number of falls they must move down a level. Another possible solution came from Phillips and Baumgardner regarding a watch list that the British system utilizes. Riders on the watch list will be personally contacted by a top coach and given advice on how to improve their riding and increase their education, and if subsequent improvement is shown, they may be removed from the watch list. Additionally, officials at events will be made aware of riders on the watch list competing that weekend. There was a broad consensus to move forward with the watch list concept, with implementation including USEA Area level as well as national involvement.

Cultural Shift

The point was repeatedly made that a "cultural shift" needs to occur in our thinking. If someone makes a responsible decision to pull up and retire when they're having a bad day, then that needs to be viewed as a positive action. There is no shame in pulling up if you're having a bad day, it's a responsible decision to make. Riders should not feel pressure from their parents to move quickly up the levels, simply because their parents' bought them an expensive horse. Rather, they should concentrate on perfecting their dressage or show jumping or simply becoming more well-rounded horsemen.

"It's not about completions but competency," said O'Connor. One of the possible solutions that he mentioned and the audience showed interest in was the system of having yellow and red flags—red to pull someone up for dangerous riding, and yellow to give them an indication that their riding is dangerous and needs to change or they will be stopped.

Equestrian sports are unique in many ways, but the fact that amateurs can compete against professionals on any given weekend makes it extraordinary. The number of falls per starts does increase as you move up the levels, and that is something that will be studied more closely in the future to get all of those numbers down.

Education

Education was the final topic of the Safety Summit and included USEA official Gretchen Butts; USEA board member and chairman of the USEF Eventing Technical Committee Malcolm Hook and Olympic rider Karen O'Connor as discussion framers. Sub-topics included certification of coaches, rider licensing, official's responsibility, record keeping of accidents/timeliness of accident report and rider responsibility.

According to Baumgardner the ICP (Instructor's Certification Program) is the flagship program for the USEA and has by far been the most successful in terms of scope. The issues of cost and travel were brought up right away in the audience as being prohibitive. Someone had the suggestion of putting a check box on the back of stabling forms if you'd like to donate five dollars. There are currently just over 135 Certified Instructors and five are from our Mexican partners, and the goal/commitment that came out of the summit was 500 in the next two years.

Rider licensing met with mixed results. Some felt it was more appropriate for preliminary levels and above; some felt it should start at the top and work its way down, if even at all. USEA Vice President of Competitions, Malcolm Hook commented that roughly 5-10% of the riders represent those that need to be licensed, and this is obvious based on the data the USEA collects. Creating a point system was another alternative to rider licensing. Points accumulated would allow a horse and rider combination to move up through the levels, with possible "negative points" for eliminations, horse falls, etc. "Why don't we think about rewarding the picture we want to see?" said Phillips. He mentioned an idea he had seen utilized in the U.K. where a judge would judge a select few fences and give extra points to whatever rider he/she felt rode those fences best. He raised the concept of a technical merit award to promote responsible riding.

The responsibility of officials was mentioned as an important part of education. Officials need to take responsibility for what is going on out on course, but we also need to create more eyes out on course to help them out. It's never going to be black and white, but ground juries need to listen to the concerns that the rider representative brings forward.

Data Collection

Data collection, consistency, analysis and transparency were an extremely important focus of the summit in several respects. First, accident record keeping and timeliness of accident reports was discussed. Detailed records can help provide data that can be analyzed to reduce accidents in the future. However, privacy laws currently get in the way of releasing some of that information. This is an issue that the USEA and USEF are currently working on as other sports have managed to justify the importance of accident reports. The point was also made that each national federation has a national safety officer.

Dr. Kohn also discussed the need for detailed veterinary data collection. That is the subject of a study currently being outlined by a blue-ribbon veterinary panel including Dr. Kohn and fellow safety summit attendee Dr. Kent Allen.

The discussion of rider responsibility began with many defining what they felt rider responsibility meant. Most everyone agreed this meant putting the needs of the horse above all else. Riders need to be held accountable and understand what their mistake was and why they made it. O'Connor mentioned that rider responsibility starts at beginner novice and it starts in the dressage arena, and that we need to revisit that.

Achieving Our Goal

After two days of some great ideas the USEA and USEF committed to preserve the sport without intrinsically changing the nature and history of it—but while recognizing the need for a significant culture change. Many of the top riders of today and of the past prepared themselves for the sport through experience—experience riding race horses, experience doing steeplechase, experience foxhunting. These experiences are no longer readily available, and today's up-and-coming riders will have to replace experience with education. O'Connor was pleased to be able to say the sport would not have to be changed just shifted slightly to deal with today's concerns.

Accidents will occasionally happen, but we can achieve our goal of minimizing accidents by helping the USEA and USEF with some of these tactics. We, within the sport, need to improve safety. "This sport will continue, and it will continue as the sport we know," said Baumgardner. "We have much work ahead, but we are up to the challenge and we'll keep everyone informed as we move forward."